The First Gentleman, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, continued his remarkable recovery from an open heart surgery Saturday and may be released from the hospital next week.

Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, his main attending physician, said in a medical bulletin issued this afternoon that Atty. Arroyo is now breathing on his own without the aid of a ventilator.

"We took away the ventilator this morning and he is responding favorably. He is now breathing on his own," Cervantes said.

The development was a welcome news for the medical staff that had reported in an earlier bulletin that the First Gentleman’s recovery had slowed down.

Cervantes said Atty. Arroyo’s kidneys, which have been the subject of concern earlier, are now functioning well while the other organs like the brain, heart, gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), and liver are all very fine.

She said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband continuously show no signs of active infection and his heart is very stable.

"I would say that he is now at the 90 to 95 percent recovery rate," Cervantes said.

Earlier this morning, President Arroyo attended a Eucharistic mass at the St. Luke’s Medical Center where the First Gentleman has been confined since going under the knife Monday night.

The mass was officiated by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

The IMF forecast is a solid affirmation of the strength and momentum of the Philippine economy, fortified by growing political stability in the run up to the mid-term elections.

The latest assessment sustains the story of hope and optimism; and the productive and enterprising spirit of every Filipino.

The IMF projection lends impetus of the expectation of better growth rate this year based on our own forecast, which is between 6.1 and 6.7 percent.

Some 600 residents along Hippodromo in Sta. Mesa, Manila heaved a collective sigh of relief today when no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted them a presidential reprieve from the plan of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to put up a Park and Drive square in the area where they are residing.

"Huwag galawin ang mga tao," was the President’s parting words to officials of Barangay 129 which she visited just before noon today.

The President spent an entire hour in the said barangay, discussing the issue with concerned officials, and then later on pressing flesh with the residents as she went around the circular road, the end of which has since been occupied by squatters.

In her sit-down discussion with the barangay leaders in the presence of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando, the President stressed the difference between projects that are essential and those, which are only for beautification purposes.

"Maganda pero may tatamaan," said the President about the PNR’s plan to build its Park & Ride project which, however, would require the removal of the residents from the area.

The President suggested that the residents be moved instead to an untitled lot nearby, but was told that the said lot is also occupied. She opted to maintain the status quo after a tour of the area.

Also in the meeting were Police District Director Danilo Abarzosa, Manila Fire Department District Director Pablito Cardeta, Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) City Director Malou Achevia, Engr. Edgardo Remote of PNR, and Barangay Chairman Rolito Inocencio.